Skoda Yeti scales the heights

SINCE my first introduction to the Skoda Yeti last year, I was enthralled by this most unusual contender from the Czech manufacturer.

It was my car of the year for 2011 on the basis that it not only re-wrote the design manual for small, practical, family-orientated cars, but it also redefined the driving characteristics for such a machine.

My first introduction to the Yeti was in the 1.2 litre twin turbo petrol engine and I was really gobsmacked by what is an unbelievably driver-friendly engine, allied to a remarkably practical overall product. This time around, though, I tried the 4x4 version in Ambition trim and with the excellent two litre TDi petrol with 124 kW (170 bhp) and a six-speed gearbox. And what a wow it was.